Coventry’s
council tax is to rise by more than 4 per cent next month, leading
to an average bill of £748 across the city.

The
rise, which was passed last night by Coventry City Council, is
being used to pay for a big increase in social services and
education spending.

Even
Band A houses will now have to pay more than £700, while people
living in the most expensive houses will have to pay over £2,100

With
the exception of residents living in the parishes of Allesley and
Keresley, where an extra sum has to be paid, the average bill,
before rebates are calculated, will be £748.

BAND

2001/2 BILL

2000/1 BILL

2000/1 NATIONAL
AVERAGE

£

£

£

A

709

680

566

B

828

793

661

C

946

907

755

D

1,064

1,020

850

E

1,301

1,247

1,038

F

1,537

1,473

1,227

G

1,774

1,700

1,416

H

2,129

2,040

1,699

City
council deputy leader Cllr John Mutton boasted that the rise of
4.4 per cent was the lowest among metropolitan councils in the
West Midlands.

An
increase of £4.5 million in ongoing social services spending,
plus one off contribution of £2 million.

An
increase of £4.6 million in spending on education

£4.5
million increase in spending on all other services

Councillor
Mutton said:

"In
setting the council tax for next year we have consulted with the
City Forum, trades unions, business and voluntary organisations,
area planning, the youth council and of course people in our
local ward surgeries.

"The
message that we have received has been that people want us to
carry on with much of the good work that we are already doing.

“They
want us to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our
community, they want us to continue to bring more jobs to the
city and to continue our work with the police and local
communities in tackling crime.

“At
the same time people have also told us that they get really
annoyed by things like cracked pavements and potholes.

"By
increasing the council tax by 4.4 per cent, a 60 pence per week
increase on the average council tax bill, we will be able to
deliver a spending plan which addresses these priorities and at
the same to ensures that we continue to balance the books."